From the Edo period (1603–1867) to the present, the Japanese have created numerous varieties of citrus fruits, collectively known as tyūbankan (中晩柑). It is a general term for citrus fruits shipped from January to May, after the shipping period of unshu mikan, which is from October to February.

Of the many varieties of mandarin oranges grown in Japan, it is the unshu that first comes to mind when Japanese people hear the word ‘mikan’. The unshu mikan’s small size makes it simple to...

Japanese mandarins are small round orange citrus fruits usually averaging between 6-8 centimeters in diameter. They are easy to peel and have a sweet tangy flavor with a juicy texture. In terms of nutrition, Japanese mikan contains vitamins A and C to strengthen the immune system, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E.

The kishu mikan (Citrus kinokuni ex Tanaka), from Japanese Kishū mikan (紀州蜜柑), is a hybrid variety of mikan, or mandarin orange (Citrus reticulata), found in Southern China and also grown in Japan.